Hi there. I'm Amy. I write here about my life and my issues. I also design blogs and websites at Uncluttered Design. I'm a mom to 4 and a former pastor's wife.
Blogging & the Internet
Blissdom in the Raw, Part 2
(Part 1)
So while slightly disconcerting at the time, I was grateful for my initial I’m-shutting-this-whole-thing-down feelings because it brought perspective. It was as though God was handing me a lens through which I would filter the rest of the conference. That lens repeatedly prompted me to ask this question: How will this (tip, strategy or Continue reading...
Blissdom in the Raw
First, let me say, I am so grateful I got to go to Blissdom. I would absolutely recommend it to any blogger and I would do it again in a heartbeat. The whole experience was invaluable.
Funny, I went thinking I’d get one thing, but I took home something entirely different. It wasn’t bad, it was Continue reading...
My lives intersected
I lead a double life.
I have my real life and I have my online life — the two rarely intersect. Many of my IRL (in real life) friends know I enjoy the computer, some know I have a blog and some of them even read it. (Thank you IRL friends who read my blog!) But Continue reading...
One effective way to increase your blog’s pageviews
I’m currently conducting a bit of an experiment with the recent reinvention of WithPurpose.com.
I’ve kept this little blog of mine limping along since blogging antiquity. Uh, that would be May of 2004. (I like to say that makes me about 117 in blog years.) During that time, I’ve had ups and I’ve had downs but Continue reading...
How to use Twitter as a cleaning tool
Twitter ain’t all bad. Here’s one cool thing to do if you tweet. Check out #speedclean and the explanation of it by Kelleigh Ratzlaff.
Here’s the basic idea: At set times during the day, you’ll see Kelleigh tweet that it’s about time to #speedclean. Then you set your timer for 5-10 minutes and tackle the spot Continue reading...
How to start a self-hosted WordPress blog
Please note: A self-hosted WordPress blog (sometimes referred to as WordPress.org) is different than a blog at WordPress.com. “Self-hosted” means you use the free WordPress platform on your own domain via hosting you pay for. A blog at WordPress.com is hosted by them and in exchange, you are limited in customization and monetization. A WordPress.com Continue reading...
How to resize your images for free online
Picnik is a great online tool for image editing and it’s extremely user-friendly — no technical know-how required. To resize your image:
Go to Picnik.com.
Click “Get started now!”
Click “Upload.”
Choose the photo you want to use from your computer.
Once it loads, click “Resize.”
Make sure the “Keep Proportions” box is checked.
Change your dimensions. (One way to figure out Continue reading...
Blogging Do: Resize your images before inserting into posts
Large images make your site load slower. Instead of downloading your images from your camera and inserting them straight into your blog, scale them down to about the size they will appear in your post. (Here’s how to resize your photos for free online.)
Blogging Do: Have an easy-to-find search bar
Near the top, above the “fold” is ideal. (The “fold” is the top part of your site that can be seen without scrolling.)
How to choose a domain name
Here are some tips to remember when choosing a domain name:
Go with .com (as opposed to .net, .info, etc.). With the exception of .org for non-profit organizations, .com is generally assumed when looking for a website. Having a .com domain makes your site easier to find and remember. It might be a challenge to find Continue reading...
